Defender Ryan Shotton is winning his battle to recover from an ankle injury in time for Saturday's home clash against West Brom.
Shotton was forced to miss last weekend's goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend after damaging his ankle in Stoke's FA Cup victory at Gillingham the previous weekend.
But the 23-year-old revealed that he expects to make a return to training at some point this week and be back in contention for a place in boss Tony Pulis's plans for Saturday.
Shotton told thisisstaffordsshire.co.uk: "It's bone bruising on the ankle, but we have progressed every day.
"I just missed out at Liverpool last week, but I'm hoping to train this week and be in contention.
"I had a fitness test at Anfield, but it didn't feel comfortable and I wasn't really ready. I did it at Gillingham the week before when I had an elbow in the face and fell with all the body weight on the ankle."